Поющие в терновнике

           "Arewegoingtolivehere?"Meggiesqueaked.

           "Notexactly,"thepriestsaidquickly."Thehouseyou’regoingtoliveinisaboutamilefurtheron,downbythecreek."

           MaryCarsonwaswaitingtoreceivetheminthevastdrawingroomanddidnotrisetogreetherbrother,butforcedhimtocometoherasshesatinherwingchair.

           "Well,Paddy,"shesaidpleasantlyenough,lookingpasthimfixedlytowhereFatherRalphstoodwithMeggieinhisarms,andherlittlearmslockedtightlyabouthisneck.MaryCarsongotupponderously,withoutgreetingFeeorthechildren.

           "LetushearMassimmediately,"shesaid."I‘msureFatherdeBricassartisanxioustobeonhisway."

           "Notatall,mydearMary."Helaughed,blueeyesgleaming."IshallsayMass,we’llallhaveagoodhotbreakfastatyourtable,andthenI’vepromisedMeggieI’llshowherwhereshe’sgoingtolive."

           "Meggie,"saidMaryCarson.

           "Yes,thisisMeggie.Whichratherbeginstheintroductionsatthetail,doesn’tit?Letmebeginatthehead,Mary,please.ThisisFiona."

           MaryCarsonnoddedcurtly,andpaidscantattentionasFatherRalphranthroughtheboys;shewastoobusywatchingthepriestandMeggie.